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Online Registration Now Open for Second Annual IAAPA 5K Run & 1K Fun Walk to Benefit Give Kids The World

September 5, 2008

Online Registration Now Open for Second Annual IAAPA 5K Run & 1K Fun Walk to Benefit Give Kids The World

Alexandria, Virginia(United States) — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has opened online registration for its second annual IAAPA 5K Run & 1K Fun Walk benefiting Give Kids The World (GKTW). The event, which attracted more than 75 participants in 2007, will be held again at SeaWorld Orlando on Thursday, Nov. 20. Donation opportunities are also available for those wishing to support GKTW from the sidelines.

The 5K Run & 1K Fun Walk will energize participants at the end of an exciting week at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008, which takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 17–21.

Registration is $25 for participants who register by Nov. 7. Anyone registering after Nov. 7, or on-site, will pay $30. Interested runners and walkers can sign up online or download theregistration form to register. The 5K Run & 1K Fun Walk starts at 7:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to come early and check-in. Transportation will be provided from the Peabody Hotel.

Kyle Stith, production manager at Water Safety Products Inc., is returning to the event as part of a team this year, and sees the run as a combination of fitness, fun, networking, and philanthropy. “We enjoyed meeting up with industry friends to get the blood flowing before a long day at the conference,” he says. “The most rewarding aspect; however, is that it benefits a great and worthwhile charity, Give Kids The World.”

Jim Brewer, executive vice president of the Phoenix Zoo, is also a returning runner who has convinced several colleagues to join him in the event. “It’s such a unique opportunity to get to run through SeaWorld,” he says. “I remember cruising along, then looking over and seeing dolphins and thinking, ‘Wow, this is really cool.’”

Other ways to donate include joining the new Silent Runner program, led by Tim Timco, vice president of sales at National Ticket Company. Silent Runners can donate to GKTW without working up a sweat. In-kind donations for event participants, such as sun visors, water bottles, and t-shirts, are also welcome. For more details on supporting the event through the Silent Runner program, donations, or sponsorships, interested parties should contact Angela Albertini at aalbertini@IAAPA.org.

All proceeds from the run will go to GKTW Village. Throughout the week, both the 6th Annual IAAPA Charity International Golf Tournament on Nov. 16, and the live and silent auctions at the gala on Nov. 20, will also benefit GKTW.

“Give Kids The World is such a tremendous organization,” Timco says. “Whether playing in the golf outing, particating in the run, or making a bid on the silent auction, it is terrific feeling knowing that your contribution is going to make a difference in a very special child's life.”

About Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World (GKTW) Village is a 70-acre, international nonprofit resort based in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical Village, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 89,000 families from all 50 states and more than 65 countries. To learn more about GKTW, visit www.gktw.org.

About IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008
The IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 is the largest conference and trade show for the amusement park and attractions industry in the world. With its theme “Success in Every Direction,” the show will draw an estimated 25,000 people from more than 85 countries from the amusement and leisure industries to the Orange County Convention Center from Monday, Nov. 17, through Friday, Nov. 21. The trade show floor will be open Tuesday, Nov.18 through Friday, Nov. 21. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 offers a solid week of business and fun. More than 1,000 exhibitors will display their products and services in one million square feet of exhibit space. The event also includes educational sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, marquee social events, and networking opportunities. This is the marketplace where amusement and attraction industry leaders, decision makers and visionaries, gather to network, view the latest innovations, and plan for the future.

About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded almost 90 years ago, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the amusement industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,300 attraction, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries.